A method for configuring a user device to which a plurality of identifiers, each uniquely identifying the user in at least one communications network, is allocated. The method includes, for at least one application: obtaining at least one rule associating, with at least one flow of the application, at least one slice of the at least one communications network for routing data relating to the at least one flow and an item of information connecting the slice to an identifier from among the plurality of identifiers of the user; and configuring the user device with the at least one rule such that it executes the at least one rule when accessing the application.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
2. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one rule is acquired when associating the user equipment with said at least one communications network.
This invention relates to a configuration method for user equipment (UE) in a communications network, addressing the challenge of dynamically acquiring and applying configuration rules to optimize network performance and user experience. The method involves associating the UE with at least one communications network and acquiring at least one rule during this association process. These rules govern how the UE interacts with the network, such as prioritizing certain traffic types, managing bandwidth allocation, or enforcing security policies. The rules may be obtained from the network itself or a centralized management system, ensuring the UE operates efficiently within the network's constraints. The method ensures seamless integration of the UE into the network while maintaining optimal performance and compliance with network policies. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where network conditions or user requirements change frequently, requiring real-time adjustments to UE configurations. The invention enhances flexibility and adaptability in network management, improving overall system efficiency and user satisfaction.
3. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one rule comprises a plurality of separate slices.
This invention relates to a configuration method for managing rules in a system, particularly addressing the challenge of efficiently organizing and processing complex rule sets. The method involves defining at least one rule that governs system behavior, where the rule is structured as a plurality of separate slices. Each slice represents a distinct segment or component of the rule, allowing for modular and scalable rule management. The slices can be independently defined, modified, or executed, enabling flexible adaptation to changing requirements. This approach improves rule processing efficiency by breaking down complex rules into smaller, more manageable parts, reducing computational overhead and enhancing maintainability. The method supports dynamic rule updates, where individual slices can be adjusted without disrupting the entire rule set, ensuring continuous system operation. The invention is applicable in systems requiring robust rule-based decision-making, such as network security, policy enforcement, or automated workflows. By decomposing rules into slices, the method simplifies rule validation, testing, and deployment, while maintaining consistency and accuracy in system behavior. The modular structure also facilitates collaboration among teams, as different slices can be developed and maintained independently. Overall, the invention provides a scalable and efficient solution for managing complex rule configurations in dynamic environments.
4. The configuration method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in said at least one rule, a usage priority is assigned to each of said plurality of separate slices.
This invention relates to network slicing in wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently configuring and managing multiple network slices with different service requirements. Network slicing enables the creation of multiple virtualized, logically isolated networks on a shared physical infrastructure, but managing these slices to meet diverse performance and priority needs remains complex. The invention provides a configuration method for network slicing that assigns a usage priority to each of the separate slices. This priority determines the allocation of resources, such as bandwidth, latency, and processing power, ensuring that higher-priority slices receive preferential treatment during resource allocation. The method involves defining at least one rule that governs the priority assignment, allowing dynamic adjustment based on real-time network conditions or predefined policies. By incorporating priority-based resource allocation, the system optimizes performance for critical services while maintaining efficiency across all slices. The method also includes mechanisms to enforce these priorities, such as traffic shaping, admission control, and quality-of-service (QoS) policies, ensuring that higher-priority slices consistently receive the necessary resources. This approach improves overall network efficiency, reduces congestion, and enhances service reliability for high-priority applications like emergency services, industrial automation, or mission-critical communications. The invention is particularly useful in 5G and beyond networks, where diverse use cases with varying requirements must coexist on the same infrastructure.
5. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acquiring and configuring the user equipment are carried out by using a user interface available on the user equipment.
This invention relates to a configuration method for user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. The problem addressed is the need for an efficient and user-friendly way to acquire and configure UE settings, particularly in scenarios where automated or remote configuration is not feasible or desirable. The method involves acquiring configuration parameters for the UE and applying those parameters to the device. The key improvement is that this process is performed using a user interface available directly on the UE, allowing users to manually input or adjust settings as needed. This approach ensures flexibility and control, enabling users to configure their devices without relying on external systems or network-based provisioning. The method may include steps such as displaying configuration options on the UE's interface, receiving user input to select or modify parameters, and applying the chosen settings to the device. This standalone configuration capability is particularly useful in environments where automated provisioning is unavailable or when users require direct oversight of their device settings. The invention enhances usability by providing a local, interactive way to manage UE configurations, ensuring compatibility with various network environments and user preferences.
7. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one rule comprises an identifier of said application.
This invention relates to a configuration method for managing software applications, particularly addressing the challenge of efficiently applying configuration rules to specific applications in a computing environment. The method involves defining at least one rule that includes an identifier of the target application, ensuring that the rule is uniquely associated with the correct application. This identifier allows the system to distinguish between different applications and apply the appropriate configuration settings, improving accuracy and reducing errors in application management. The method may also involve generating a configuration file based on the defined rules, which is then used to configure the application during runtime. The identifier ensures that the configuration file is correctly mapped to the intended application, preventing misconfigurations that could lead to performance issues or security vulnerabilities. The method supports dynamic updates to the configuration rules, allowing for real-time adjustments without requiring application restarts. This approach enhances flexibility and scalability in managing multiple applications within a distributed system. The invention is particularly useful in environments where multiple applications share common infrastructure but require distinct configurations.
8. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application is an application installed on said user equipment.
This invention relates to a configuration method for user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently configuring applications installed on the UE. The method involves dynamically adjusting configuration parameters of an application based on real-time network conditions, user behavior, or device capabilities to optimize performance, resource usage, or user experience. The application, which is installed on the UE, may include software or services that require specific settings to function optimally under varying conditions. The configuration method ensures that the application adapts seamlessly to changes in the network environment or device state, such as signal strength, bandwidth availability, or battery level, without manual intervention. This dynamic adjustment helps maintain consistent performance while minimizing unnecessary resource consumption. The method may also involve collecting data from the UE or network to determine the most suitable configuration settings for the application, ensuring compatibility and efficiency across different use cases. By automating the configuration process, the invention reduces the need for user input or manual adjustments, enhancing usability and reliability.
9. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of said identifiers allocated to the user identify said user on two different communication networks.
This invention relates to a configuration method for managing user identifiers across multiple communication networks. The problem addressed is the complexity of maintaining consistent user identification when a user operates across different networks, such as mobile, Wi-Fi, or other communication systems. The method involves allocating multiple identifiers to a user, where at least two of these identifiers are used to identify the same user on two distinct communication networks. This ensures seamless interoperability and recognition of the user across different network environments. The method may also include steps for dynamically updating or reallocating identifiers based on network conditions, user preferences, or security requirements. Additionally, the system may verify the authenticity of the identifiers to prevent unauthorized access or identity spoofing. The invention aims to improve user experience by reducing the need for manual reconfiguration when switching between networks while maintaining security and reliability. The method can be applied in various scenarios, including mobile communications, internet of things (IoT) devices, and enterprise network management.
10. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of said identifiers allocated to the user identify said user on the same communication network.
This invention relates to a configuration method for managing user identifiers in a communication network. The problem addressed is the need to efficiently allocate and manage multiple identifiers for a single user across the same communication network, ensuring proper identification and communication without conflicts or redundancy. The method involves allocating at least two distinct identifiers to a user, where these identifiers are used to identify the same user on the same communication network. The identifiers may be used for different purposes, such as authentication, service access, or device-specific communication, while still referring to the same user. The method ensures that these identifiers are properly configured and managed within the network to avoid conflicts and maintain seamless communication. The invention may also include steps for verifying the allocation of identifiers, ensuring that the identifiers are correctly associated with the user and that the network recognizes them as belonging to the same user. This helps prevent misrouting or unauthorized access. The method may further include mechanisms for updating or revoking identifiers as needed, maintaining the integrity of the user's identity within the network. By allowing multiple identifiers for a single user on the same network, the invention improves flexibility in communication and service access while ensuring that the user remains uniquely identifiable. This is particularly useful in scenarios where a user may need different identifiers for different services or devices but still requires consistent identification across the network.
11. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one rule associates a plurality of slices corresponding to separate communications networks with at least one flow of an application.
This invention relates to network configuration methods for managing communication flows across multiple network slices in a multi-network environment. The problem addressed is the efficient and dynamic association of application flows with specific network slices to optimize performance, resource utilization, and service quality. The method involves configuring network rules that link one or more application flows to multiple network slices, where each slice corresponds to a separate communications network. These slices may differ in terms of bandwidth, latency, security, or other performance characteristics. By associating a single application flow with multiple slices, the system can dynamically route traffic based on real-time conditions, such as network congestion, user demand, or service requirements. This allows for flexible and adaptive network management, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary resources while balancing load across available networks. The rules may also include conditions or policies that determine when and how flows are mapped to slices, enabling intelligent traffic steering. For example, a video streaming application might prioritize low-latency slices for real-time content while using higher-capacity slices for bulk data transfers. The method supports both static and dynamic configurations, allowing for pre-defined mappings or runtime adjustments based on network analytics. This approach enhances scalability, reliability, and efficiency in multi-network environments, particularly in scenarios involving 5G, edge computing, or software-defined networking.
13. The rule management method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising assigning, in at least one determined rule comprising a plurality of slices of said at least one communications network, a usage priority to each slice.
This invention relates to rule management in communications networks, particularly for networks divided into multiple slices. The problem addressed is the efficient allocation and prioritization of network resources across different slices to ensure optimal performance and service quality. The method involves determining rules for managing network operations, where each rule applies to one or more slices of the network. A key feature is the assignment of usage priorities to each slice within a rule, allowing for differentiated treatment of traffic based on predefined criteria. This prioritization helps balance resource allocation, ensuring high-priority slices receive preferential access to network resources while maintaining overall network stability. The method supports dynamic adjustments to priorities based on network conditions, user demands, or service requirements, enhancing flexibility and adaptability. By integrating priority assignment into rule management, the invention enables more granular control over network operations, improving efficiency and service delivery in multi-slice environments. The solution is particularly useful in scenarios where different slices serve diverse applications or user groups with varying quality-of-service needs.
14. The rule management method as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one determined rule comprising a plurality of slices of said at least one communications network comprises an instruction for distributing a load over said plurality of slices.
This invention relates to rule management in communications networks, particularly for optimizing load distribution across multiple network slices. The problem addressed is inefficient resource utilization and potential congestion when network traffic is not evenly distributed among available slices, leading to performance degradation. The method involves determining at least one rule for managing network operations, where the rule applies to a communications network divided into multiple slices. Each slice represents a segment of the network with specific resources and capabilities. The rule includes instructions for distributing traffic or computational load across these slices to balance the workload. This ensures that no single slice becomes overloaded while others remain underutilized, improving overall network efficiency and reliability. The rule may be dynamically adjusted based on real-time network conditions, such as traffic patterns, slice capacity, or performance metrics. By intelligently allocating load across slices, the method prevents bottlenecks and enhances service quality for end-users. The approach is particularly useful in 5G and other advanced networks where slicing is employed to support diverse service requirements. The invention aims to optimize resource allocation while maintaining flexibility and scalability in network management.
15. The rule management method as claimed in claim 12, wherein rules associated with flows of various applications comprise usage priorities for said rules.
A system and method for managing rules in a network environment, particularly for handling data flows from multiple applications, assigns usage priorities to rules associated with these flows. The method involves dynamically adjusting rule processing based on these priorities to optimize network performance and resource allocation. Rules are defined to govern how data packets are processed, filtered, or routed within the network. The priority system ensures that higher-priority rules are processed first, allowing critical applications to receive preferential treatment over less important ones. This approach improves efficiency by reducing latency for high-priority traffic while maintaining fairness in resource distribution. The method may also include mechanisms to update or modify rule priorities in real-time based on changing network conditions or application requirements. By integrating priority-based rule management, the system enhances overall network responsiveness and reliability, particularly in environments with diverse application demands. The solution is applicable in scenarios such as enterprise networks, cloud computing, or software-defined networking (SDN) where dynamic rule management is essential for performance optimization.
18. The user equipment as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of USIMs (Universal Subscriber Identity Modules) and/or network cards, each card and/or each USIM module being associated with a separate identifier from among said plurality of identifiers.
This invention relates to user equipment (UE) designed for secure and flexible network connectivity, particularly in environments requiring multiple network access options. The problem addressed is the need for UE to dynamically switch between different network identities and access methods while maintaining security and operational efficiency. The UE includes a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) and/or network cards, each associated with a distinct identifier. These identifiers enable the UE to authenticate and communicate with different networks or services independently. The system allows seamless switching between these identities, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and secure access to multiple networks or services. The UE may also include a processor configured to manage these identifiers, ensuring proper authentication and communication protocols are followed. This design is particularly useful in scenarios where a single device must interact with multiple networks or services, such as in IoT (Internet of Things) applications, enterprise environments, or multi-network mobile devices. The invention enhances flexibility, security, and reliability in network connectivity for user equipment.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 18, 2020
April 16, 2024
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.